Pastor Dan received an email below from a friend and collaborator, Patrick Matsikenyiri who is a retired music professor at Africa University in Zimbabwe. His wife, Avis, needs a hip replacement and he lacks the financial resources for her to have the surgery. Our prayers are with them.

Subject: It never rain, it pours. Hope this finds you well. Aves has been diagnosed Anthritis in the hip. Doctor has advised hip replacement. This is a major issue when resources are not available. I am appealing in case you know who would help some., that will be very helpful. I thought of this saying, Share happiness it multiplies, share sorrow it divides. One other way is to encourage churches , groups and individuals to buy my books from GBGM in New York and from Abingdon Publishers in Nashville Tn. The money would be deposited in my BB&T Bank No. 5134227070. We have delayed due to insufficient resources and yet the pain is deepening.. What ever help we get we will appreciate much. Hope all is well with you. Warm greetings from Aves as struggles.

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) is having severe medical problems. She recently moved to North Dakota where the medical community has been more responsive to her medical needs than here in California but she had not followed through with contact until it became emergent. Fran is particularly stressed because it’s difficult to be so far away although Sandra’s physician has been in contact with her. Pleas add them in your prayers for healing and compassionate support.

Kristi and Russ Johnson went to Idaho for Kristi’s nephew’s wedding. Russ was having some medical difficulties and tests have shown that he needs a pacemaker. Kaiser services are available to them. They would be pleased to have your prayers for healing.

Molly Smith is requesting prayers for her brother who has been treated for a brain tumor for several years and has recently entered the Hospice program. Prayers for his family and her brother as they go through this very difficult time.

Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old so

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing. Linda had surgery to remove the hematoma. She is home but weak.

Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc. We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction? Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out? Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com

Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them.

Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal: We only need about $30 to complete our $500 sponsorship donation. Won’t you consider giving so we can continue to sponsor her good work?

Kia Croom (Public Relations) from GRIP will worship with us and speak briefly to update us on GRIP on Sunday, July 27.

Pastor Dan’s time away this summer:

July 21-25 Journey Farthest Out Camp.

August 11-20 Vacation in Hawaii.

August 28-September1 Western Methodist Justice Movement Meeting at Lake Tahoe.

The Administrative Board will not be meeting in July, The next meeting is Thursday, August 14 at 7 pm in Friendship Hall.

Generosity

The United Methodist Church has a shopping site at umcmarket.org where you can sign up and when you shop on line through the Market Place a percentage of your purchase comes to our church. They have updated the site and it is easier to use and user friendly. This is a very easy way to give.

Events

Vacation Bible School: August 4-8, 9-11:30 am in Friendship Hall. This is always a fun time with the children. If you would like to help or bring snacks let Jean Reynolds know at 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com. They need refreshments every day and lunch is provided on Friday.

Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.

Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org Only three days left for the “early bird” rate!

6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

I was asked to lead the Friday morning devotions at our California NevadaAnnual Conference in Burlingame this week. Here are some highlights fromthat devotion:

³My prayer life is in these hymns, my devotional lifeŠ my spiritual life isin these hymns. I work on my hymnwriting every day. I develop my craftŠmusic, poetry, theologyŠ I write about people in relation to God, realpeople like us, people with tattoos, piercings, and twitter accounts, peoplewith a past, transformed and transforming by the love of God.

I pastor a vital small church: Richmond First, 90 members, 40 on mostSundays. We sing At Your Altars, The Love of God Receives Us, I Want Jesusto Walk with Me, and Here Am I (words by Brian Wren). We sing ³Goddess ofLove, we want to worship, not as outsiders waiting for crumbs, but as yourchildren, part of your body, we long to praise you, part of your church.² Wetry things, we imagine, we hope, we work, we pray together. We sing ³EternalChrist, you Rule keeping company with pain.²

We are small, we are few, but God is at work in us. We give food to thehungry, comfort to the oppressed, we reach out in concern and service to theworld.

God is with us. Jesus walks with us. The Holy Spirit is with us in sorrowand in joy.²

***

At conference we sang the songs mentioned above, but with you, here today,I¹d like to sing new songs from our new book.

Let¹s sing AYA 4, Abide in Meand AYA 70, Receive Our Bits and Pieces

Retell the Scripture Story

In the gospel lesson appointed for today we hear these words:

³Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall onthe ground with our your Father. But the very hairs of your head are allnumbered. Fear not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.²

Jane tells me that we have a family of sparrows living in our belfry on theMartina Street side. Have you seen them coming and going? They have, indeed,found a home near the altar of God.

Sing AYA 1, At Your Altars

Application

At the close of our gospel reading for today we hear these words:³Those who do not take up their cross and follow me, are not worthy of me.Those who find their lives shall lose them, but those who lose their livesfor my sake shall find them.

I just finished reading ³Stages of Faith² by James Fowler. He says that inmature faith we spend and are spent for the kingdom of God. In some casesthis leads to an early death. In some cases we spend and are spent increating a peaceful and a just world throughout a long life. How will youspend the days that God gives you? I will follow Jesus, as God gives me thegrace to do so.

I look forward singing many new songs here with you, as long as the bishopcontinues to appoint me to this church, and as long as God gives me breath.

Sing AYA 93, Who Is My Neighbor?

Let us be in prayer.

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Joys and Concerns

“The American Maritime People” at The Frank C. Munson Institute: An NEH Summer Institute for College and University Teachers, June 23 – July 25, 2014. Jennifer Metz Foster has been chosen to teach this class! Congratulations!

The Frank C. Munson Institute at Mystic Seaport invites selected college teachers to participate in its five-week National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute, “The American Maritime People” from June 23-July 25, 2014. The NEH Institute gives college teachers the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.

I’ll be participating in order to develop a course in American Maritime History for the Spring 2015 semester at CSUM, as well as building context for an upcoming exhibit I’m consulting for at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on the history of maritime diversity in Vallejo

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

Julio Osegueda was recently hospitalized with severe GI bleeding. He is home and feeling well. He welcomes your prayers for continued healing and good health.

Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.

We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing. Linda fell last week and hit her head but had no symptoms of injury until Thursday when she developed a severe headache and couldn’t walk. She was admitted to ICU and found to have two subdural hematomas in the brain. She was given medication to decrease brain swelling and today was able to walk. There is consideration to moving her to Redwood City for further treatment if improvement doesn’t continue.

Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc. We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction? Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out? Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com

Good News! Rev. Frank Schaefer (Ret.) who had been defrocked after officiating at the wedding of his gay son, has been fully reinstated as a clergy in good standing by the North East Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church.

Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them. News: Paramilitary forces from central and southern Irag have come to “Camp New Irag” (Camp Ashraf) and the buildings are being occupied by these forces. It is reported that Iraqi Prime Ministry agents are opening warehouses locked by the United Nations in 2012 to safeguard the belongings of the Camp Ashraf residents. Flatbed trucks have been seen loaded with warehouse items and automobiles belonging to Camp Ashraf residents now in Camp Liberty. Protests are being issued and pleas for assistance from the United States and United Nations are being made to have these belongings sent to the owners in Camp Liberty.

Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an UPDATE . Hindus in Nepal have arrested Christian leaders and are being encouraged by Hindu political leaders visiting from India to outlaw conversion to Christianity. Hindu extremists in Nepal are apparently feeling threatened by the rapid growth of the Christian Church in Nepal. The Christian Church leaders have since been released. Katherine is currently safe and asking for your prayers in this difficult time.

Pastor Dan will be attending the annual conference in Paris, France for the human rights of all people, including Iranians in Camp Liberty in Iraq, June 25- July 2 as a representative of our support of this cause.

Pastor Dan’s time away this summer:

June 25-July 2 as above.

July 9-19, Hymn Society Conference in Ohio.

July 21-25 Journey Farthest Out Camp.

August 11-20 Vacation in Hawaii.

August 28-September1 Western Methodist Justice Movement Meeting at Lake Tahoe.

The Administrative Board will not be meeting in July, The next meeting is Thursday, August 14 at 7 pm in Friendship Hall.

Generosity

The Administrative Board met Thursday evening, June 12 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $47654. Our budget need is $44,065. We are above budget by $3000 thanks to Junktique II. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II added some funds to help with the deficit. Summer is coming and attendance at church declines, as do our collection amounts. Have you considered mailing in contributions over the summer months?

Imagine No Malaria Campaign: The United Methodist Church has partnered with other organizations to help stamp out malaria which is killing children at a rate of one every minute. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has donated 390,000 insect repellant bed nets to Sierra Leone. As you consider where you can give and make a difference consider this worthy cause.

As inspection of the three “Sunday School” windows started, it was determined that there is more dry rot than expected, raising the cost of the window repair. an Anonymous Donor is covering the entire cost of custom built windows, matching the windows in the church! Our gratitude and thanks to this person. The Building Funds will be used to repair and replace windows in the parsonage.

Events

Sunday, June 29 (Pastor Dan away) Fran Smith will share her faith and speak about her experience at our CA/NV United Methodist Annual Conference.

Saturday, July 5 at 2 pm we will have an informal Memorial for Marian Hawkins, who died last month. We will have coffee/tea and refreshments. Let Barbara Haley know if you would like to bring something (bahcats@sbcglobal.net). Come and share your memories of Marian.

Vacation Bible School: August 4-8, 9-11:30 am in Friendship Hall. This is always a fun time with the children. If you would like to help or bring snacks let Jean Reynolds know at 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com.

Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.

Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org

6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

What a great celebration we had for our Father’s Day Jazz service! Sheilanigave our sermon in song, so I have no notes to send. Keep us in your prayersas we travel.

Love and Joy,

Pastor Dan Damon

Joys and Concerns

“The American Maritime People” at The Frank C. Munson Institute: An NEH Summer Institute for College and University Teachers, June 23 – July 25, 2014. Jennifer Metz Foster has been chosen to teach this class! Congratulations!

The Frank C. Munson Institute at Mystic Seaport invites selected college teachers to participate in its five-week National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute, “The American Maritime People” from June 23-July 25, 2014. The NEH Institute gives college teachers the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.

I’ll be participating in order to develop a course in American Maritime History for the Spring 2015 semester at CSUM, as well as building context for an upcoming exhibit I’m consulting for at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on the history of maritime diversity in Vallejo.

Manuel Navidad, Fran Smith’s great-grandson, had his tonsils removed on June 12th. We wish him a fast recovery. Do you remember “all the ice cream you can eat”? Well, I do and of course I couldn’t swallow anything! Let’s hope that phase passes quickly for Manuel and he is back to feeling good soon. Your prayers for healing are welcomed. Cards can be sent to 2149 Beaujolais Ct., Fairfield, CA 94533.

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

Julio Osegueda was recently hospitalized with severe GI bleeding. He is home and feeling well. He welcomes your prayers for continued healing and good health.

Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.

We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.

Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc. We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction? Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out? Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com

Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them.

Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an UPDATE on her activities. She has sent an email about the abuse of workers from Nepal, including deaths, who are working construction jobs in Qatar. The construction bosses takes their passports away and refuse to give them their temporary residence cards and withhold payment for their work, essentially enslaving them. This is a desert country and water is not provided at the construction sites The lack of payment means they often have to beg for food. Qatar is doing major construction for the World Cup. The Qatar government is looking into the allegations. Please remember these men in your prayers

Pastor Dan will be attending the annual conference in Paris, France for the human rights of all people, including Iranians in Camp Liberty in Iraq, June 25- July 2 as a representative of our support of this cause.

Generosity

The Administrative Board met Thursday evening, June 12 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $47654. Our budget need is $44,065. We are above budget by $3000 thanks to Junktique II. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II added some funds to help with the deficit. Summer is coming and attendance at church declines, as do our collection amounts. Have you considered mailing in contributions over the summer months?

Imagine No Malaria Campaign: The United Methodist Church has partnered with other organizations to help stamp out malaria which is killing children at a rate of one every minute. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has donated 390,000 insect repellant bed nets to Sierra Leone. As you consider where you can give and make a difference consider this worthy cause.

As inspection of the three “Sunday School” windows started, it was determined that there is more dry rot than expected, raising the cost of the window repair. an Anonymous Donor is covering the entire cost of custom built windows, matching the windows in the church! Our gratitude and thanks to this person. The Building Funds will be used to repair and replace windows in the parsonage.

The Administrative Board will not be meeting in July, The next meeting is Thursday, August 14 at 7 pm in Friendship Hall.

Events

Sunday, June 29 (Pastor Dan away) Fran Smith will share her faith and speak about her experience at our CA/NV United Methodist Annual Conference.

Saturday, July 5 at 2 pm we will have an informal Memorial for Marian Hawkins, who died last month. We will have coffee/tea and refreshments. Let Barbara Haley know if you would like to bring something (bahcats@sbcglobal.net). Come and share your memories of Marian.

Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.

Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org

6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

³The Spirit in me greets the Spirit in you,² is a traditional greeting. Wemay think of it with a capital [s] or with lower case, the divine or thehuman. Both understandings are good.

A common greeting South Asia, is ³Namaste.² In Hinduism it means ³I bow tothe divine in you.²

At our Journey Farthest Out Christian family camps we sometimes sing ³Christin me greets the Christ in you, allelu, alleluia!²

Sally, my yoga teacher at 24 Hour Fitness [an occasional customer at theHotel Mac] closes each class session by saying: Honor yourself for takinggood careŠof mind, body, spirit. Namaste. She is like us, small but mighty,90 pounds of power and light in this world.

The Spirit of God dwells in all of us. We understand this differently. Weuse a variety of languages to talk about what we feel to be true. And onthis day, Christians around the world celebrate the day of Pentecost, fiftydays after Easter, as the day the Holy Spirit came in power to the fearful,doubting band of followers who had yet to be described as ³Christians.²

The Spirit of God is a constant presence in our lives, the Comforter hascome to us, and dwells in us. But sometimes our human spirits are up,sometimes they are downŠ

A friend told me once, ³ I hope the down time doesn¹t last any longer thanit has to.² To some extent we do control our moods. We can do things thatmake them better or worseŠ

The spirit in us is like the wind, it blows where it wills, and we see theresults. We are productive or unproductive based on the movement of theSpirit within usŠ

Retell the Scripture Story

The bible story today is very excitingŠ They were allwith one accord in one place [that is the first miracle: to be in agreement,in one accord] It may not have happened since.Suddenly: Wind, cloven tongues of Fire, all filled with the Holy Spirit andall began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance.

People came together to see and hear this great thing. All these Galileanswere speaking, but people from all over the know world heard the message intheir own language. Russian, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, Spanish, English,Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, to name a few.

In their own languages they heard of the wonderful works of God. All wereamazed, but some doubted [always we see in the stories, the mixture of faithand doubt]. What does this mean? ³They are full of new wine,² some said.

³No, it¹s too early in the day for that,² came Peter¹s response. And thatserved as the introduction to one of the best sermons ever preached. Petercalled upon his knowledge of the Hebrew prophet Joel and quoted the words heknew by heart:It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out my Spiriton all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and youryoung men shall see visions, and your elders shall dream dreams: And on myservants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit;and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signsin the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and smoke; The sun shall be turnedinto darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day ofthe Lord shall come.

And it shall come to pass that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shallbe saved.

Application

The Holy Spirit dwells in usŠall of usŠgiving us power to act each day withcourage, as we face our own problems, and as we make the problems of othersour own. The people who gathered on that first Pentecost had the same needsthat all of us haveŠ and the same struggles. Some of them had no home, noregular place to sleep and eat. Some were wealthy, and enjoyed greatprivilege. All gathered there in Jerusalem had choices to make about howthey would live out their days after this powerful encounter with the powerand presence of God.

I close with a new hymn text that addresses one basic human need:

All people need a home,a place to feel secure,where common needs are known and met,a home that will endure.

All people need a home,a welcome at the door,a place to share and to enjoy,a home for rich and poor.

All people need a home,a place where hurts can heal,where help is given and received,a home where love is real.

God, help us build a worldwhere all can feel secure,a place where all can live and love,a world that will endure.

“The American Maritime People” at The Frank C. Munson Institute: An NEH Summer Institute for College and University Teachers, June 23 – July 25, 2014. Jennifer Metz Foster has been chosen to teach this class! Congratulations!

The Frank C. Munson Institute at Mystic Seaport invites selected college teachers to participate in its five-week National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute, “The American Maritime People” from June 23-July 25, 2014. The NEH Institute gives college teachers the opportunity to enhance course offerings by studying the influence of maritime activities on U.S. history and culture.

I’ll be participating in order to develop a course in American Maritime History for the Spring 2015 semester at CSUM, as well as building context for an upcoming exhibit I’m consulting for at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on the history of maritime diversity in Vallejo.

Manuel de Jesus Navidad, Fran Smith’s great-grandson, had his tonsils removed on June 12th. We wish him a fast recovery. Do you remember “all the ice cream you can eat”? Well, I do and of course I couldn’t swallow anything! Let’s hope that phase passes quickly for Manuel and he is back to feeling good soon. Your prayers for healing are welcomed.

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

Julio Osegueda was recently hospitalized with severe GI bleeding. He is home and feeling well. He welcomes your prayers for continued healing and good health.

Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and has started chemotherapy She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.

We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.

Update:Our friend, Arinel Greene, from Easter Hill UMC, has finished her radiation and chemotherapy and is cancer free! She is a woman of great faith and welcomes being on our prayer list for healing. If you would like to send her a card: 5326 Conestoga Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803.Please remember her in your prayers.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.

Robbie Robinson would appreciate your prayers.

Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy. She’s taking a well deserved vacation to Ireland for a break in June!

News

Plans are underway for our 6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction on October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm at the Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd. Art work, jewelry, arts & crafts, raffle, hors d’oeuvres, music and a whole lot of fun! Suggested donation $10. Letters will be going out soon to encourage local businesses to donate. We are hoping to raffle off dinners for two, gym memberships, gift certificates, etc. We plan to have items for sale as well as auction items. Do you have art work you no longer use? Do you knit, crochet, weave, potter, make jewelry, paint or sculpt? Would you like to donate to the auction? Can you recommend a contact person for businesses that may be interested in helping us out? Please contact Debbie Benko @ 510-517-6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com <mailto:DebBenko160@aol.com

Camp Liberty Update: With the current fighting and chaos in Irag, our Irani friends in Camp Liberty need your prayers and support. I am sure this is a harrowing time for them.

Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an UPDATE on her activities. She has sent an email about the abuse of workers from Nepal, including deaths, who are working construction jobs in Qatar. The construction bosses takes their passports away and refuse to give them their temporary residence cards and withhold payment for their work, essentially enslaving them. This is a desert country and water is not provided at the construction sites The lack of payment means they often have to beg for food. Qatar is doing major construction for the World Cup. The Qatar government is looking into the allegations. Please remember these men in your prayers.

Pastor Dan Eileen Johnson and Fran Smith will be attending the California Nevada Annual Conference this year in Burlingame, June 18-21. Dan and Eileen are in the conference band.

Pastor Dan will be attending the annual conference in Paris, France for the human rights of all people, including Iranians in Camp Liberty in Iraq, June 25- July 2 as a representative of our support of this cause.

Generosity

The Administrative Board met Thursday evening, June 12 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $47654. Our budget need is $44,065. We are above budget by $3000 thanks to Junktique II. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II added some funds to help with the deficit. Summer is coming and attendance at church declines, as do our collection amounts. Have you considered mailing in contributions over the summer months?

Imagine No Malaria Campaign: The United Methodist Church has partnered with other organizations to help stamp out malaria which is killing children at a rate of one every minute. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has donated 390,000 insect repellant bed nets to Sierra Leone. As you consider where you can give and make a difference consider this worthy cause.

As inspection of the three “Sunday School” windows started, it was determined that there is more dry rot than expected, raising the cost of the window repair. an Anonymous Donor is covering the entire cost of custom built windows, matching the windows in the church! Our gratitude and thanks to this person. The Building Funds will be used to repair and replace windows in the parsonage.

Events

Father’s Day Jazz Service, Sunday, June 15, 11am. The Dan Damon Quartet will present the service with music. Kurt Ribak, bass: Lincoln Adler, sax; Randy O’dell, drums;Dan Damon, piano The Joyful Noise Choir will end their season by singing with the band. Come early to be sure to get a seat.

Sunday, June 15 is a Special Sunday/ Peace with Justice Sunday. Your donations help fund programs both in the US and abroad. Funds for educating people about human trafficking in the US come from this special Sunday. Also work with communities along the Arizona border where there are great differences in views on how the borders should be handled, use these funds.

At the above dinner the Methodist Federation for Social Action will be giving its Peace with Justice Award to Rev. Jeanelle Ablola. Rev. Ablola is the Lead Pastor at Pine UMC, Co-Chair of CA-NV Philippine Solidarity Task Force and Charter Member of Northern California National Ecumenical Forum for Filipino Concerns.

Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.

Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org

6th Annual Jean Eakle Silent Auction: Saturday, October 25, 2014, 4-7 pm, Point San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Donation at door $10. We will have arts/crafts for bidding; music and hors d’oeuvres to satisfy other senses and a good time! To donate or offer help, contact Debbie Benko: 510 517 6724 or DebBenko160@aol.com.

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

Do you remember this song from Fiddler on the Roof [music: Jerry Bock, lyrics: Sheldon Harnick]?

Tevye says to Golde: I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter, Hodel.

(Golde) What??? He’s poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!

(Tevye) He’s a good man, Golde. I like him. And what’s more important, Hodel likes him. Hodel loves him. So what can we do? It’s a new world… A new world. Love. Golde… Do you love me?

(Golde) Do I what?

(Tevye) Do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love you?

With our daughters getting married

And this trouble in the town

You’re upset, you’re worn out

Go inside, go lie down!

Maybe it’s indigestion

(Tevye) Golde I’m asking you a question… Do you love me?

(Golde) You’re a fool

(Tevye) I know… But do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love you?

For twenty-five years I’ve washed your clothes

Cooked your meals, cleaned your house

Given you children, milked the cow

After twenty-five years, why talk about love right now?

(Tevye) Golde, The first time I met you

Was on our wedding day. I was scared.

(Golde) I was shy

(Tevye) I was nervous

(Golde) So was I

(Tevye)

But my father and my mother

Said we’d learn to love each other

And now I’m asking, Golde

Do you love me?

(Golde) I’m your wife

(Tevye) I know… But do you love me?

(Golde) Do I love him?

For twenty-five years I’ve lived with him

Fought him, starved with him

Twenty-five years my bed is his

If that’s not love, what is?

(Tevye) Then you love me?

(Golde) I suppose I do

(Tevye) And I suppose I love you too

(Both)

It doesn’t change a thing

But even so

After twenty-five years

It’s nice to know

Retell the Scripture Story

In our gospel lesson today Jesus continues from the story of the “many mansions,” and the statement of being “the way, the truth, and the life.” Our lesson today begins with the conditional clause: “If you love me…” The if/then construction goes like this: If you love me, keep my commandments.

If you are like me, you will immediately think of all the commandments you have broken, and the impossibility of keeping them all. The ten commandments, and all the other laws we have made. We need these laws, but it is the highest law that Jesus is speaking about here and elsewhere in the gospels: the law of love.

If you love me, keep my commandments [to love self, neighbor, and God] and I will send you another Comforter [because I am going away/ my life is almost over] and this Comforter will abide with you forever.

Jesus is speaking of the Holy Spirit, the presence of God always with us. We will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Christian church on June 8 this year, but of course the Spirit has been present with all creation from the beginning. In Genesis 1:2 we read: And the earth was without form and void: and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved [brooded] upon the face of the waters. [v.3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

This eternal Spirit of comfort was there from the beginning and is with us always. This comfort transcends time and space. It transcends faith and doubt. It is present in all faith traditions. To return to our gospel less, in John 14:17 Jesus says this is the Spirit of truth. As we consider our seeking faith, we always look for love and truth. They go together. Here they are in John’s gospel. Our faith leads us deeper into these mysteries: love and truth.

In verse 19 Jesus, according to John, says: Because I live, you shall live also… You will know that I am in my Father, and you are in my, and I am in you.

This is poetic language. Jesus is trying to tell us something about the final way of things. Jesus saw a deeper and higher reality. He saw that union with God is the true and final resting place for all creation. Sometimes we get a glimpse of that union here on earth. In a good marriage we can glimpse it. In our deepest love relationships: parent and child, marriage partners, perhaps even the gardener’s love of growing things can show us a little of this deep mystery. Jesus told us all he could about love, truth, and the mystic and eternal love in which we live and move.

Application

How should we then live? Let us live each day in the knowledge that God loves us, and all of creation. Let us learn to love ourselves. Let us learn to love others a little better every day. Let us make peace with ourselves and with others. Let us make peace on earth our work and our prayer. Let us work and pray for justice every day, trusting that God is at work with us, and in us. Let us now give in to despair, depression, and fear. Let us live each day in the love and power that God gives us, trusting that the Comforter will come to us [has come to us] and will abide with us forever.

Let us be in prayer.

Joys and Concerns

Congratulations to Heather Damon! Heather graduated from UC Davis with a master degree in social work! We are all pleased and proud of her completion of this program.

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and will be starting chemotherapy next week. She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.

We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.

Our friend, Arinel Greene, from Easter Hill UMC, is being treated with chemo/radiation for uterine cancer. She is a woman of great faith and welcomes being on our prayer list for healing. If you would like to send her a card: 5326 Conestoga Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803.Please remember her in your prayers.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.

Robbie Robinson would appreciate your prayers.

News

Marian Hawkins (a longtime member and participant in the church) died May 22nd after a long decline in her health. She loved to tell stories about her childhood on the Point. She held various church offices and she and her husband, Fay, donated their time and skills to the church. She was in her early nineties. There will be no services per family request. Mid Dornan shared some memories about Marian at Sunday’s Service If you would like to send a card to the family, send to: Sandra Hawkins, 2131 Via Media, Benicia, CA, 94510.

Junktique II was very successful per Fran Smith. We don’t have exact figures as yet but the sale made over $2,400, pancake breakfast over $500 ( with our thanks to Norm and Jean Reynolds for all their work in making it happen) and our Lady Bug ( Ioulia Solovieva) who so much wanted to sell succulents she had started and grown made over $115! Congratulations and thanks to all who participated to make this day a success.It’s all the more special because it comes so close to the huge effort made for Junktique. Special thanks to Fran Smith and Betty Graham! See attachment.

Camp Liberty Update: Iran’s judiciary chief is urging his Iraqi counterpart to extradite the residents of Camp Liberty (3000 people) to Iran for a “fair trial”. Iran is saying they will pardon 423 people after investigation showed they are not guilty of any crimes. In April of this year Iran and Irag signed an understanding which includes the extradition of criminals. This is a serious and life threatening request. Please contact your representatives for intervention: President Obama, 202 456 1414, Vice President Biden, 202 456 1414, Senator Barbara Boxer, 202 224 3553, Senator Diane Feinstein, 202 224 3841, Representative George Miller, 202 225 2095.

The Administrative Board has approved the project to repair the church windows beginning after Junktique II.

Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an update on her activities. On a personal level, she is moving into an apartment of her own. Katherine is working as a health advisor in rural Nepal where she works with communities through improving water sanitation, hygiene, food security and nutrition. She has a blog (bokashi.blogspot.com) where you can find information on her recent adolescent sex education class. Donating to support Katherine’s work makes you a partner in improving the quality of life for the less advantaged. Copies of her letter are in Friendship Hall.

A Study and Survey of the Worldwide Nature of the United Methodist Church will be presented by Pastor Dan Damon and Jean Reynolds for four Sundays, May 18 through June 8 during Adult Sunday School 10 am in Friendship Hall. Anyone interested in joining the church is encouraged to come and all are welcome. Recommendations from the class will be presented at General Conference 2016. Weekly topics in order: 1. General Conference, Jurisdictions, and Central Conferences.2. The Book of Discipline.3.Boards, Agencies and Finances. 4. Education of Clergy and Laity. This is an opportunity to have input into proposals and changes

Generosity

The Administrative Board met Thursday evening, May 8 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $31,180. Our budget need is $35,252 which is a $4000 deficit. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II will add some funds to help with the deficit.

Events

Father’s Day Jazz Service, Sunday, June 15, 11am. The Dan Damon Quartet will present the service with music. Kurt Ribak, bass: Lincoln Adler, sax; Randy O’dell, drums;Dan Damon, piano. Come early to be sure to get a seat.

Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.

Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org.

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Send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor at bahcats@sbcglobal.net

Where are the mansions Jesus is talking about in today’s gospel? In heaven? In Paris or Beverly Hills? In Point Richmond?

In our hearts? I think there is a wisdom saying, “As without, so within.” Have you heard it?

[We may carefully joke about those who think they will be the only ones in heaven…]Retell the Scripture Story

When we hear the stories of the Bible as children, we accept them at face value. We think literally at that age, and receive benefit from the hearing and reading of our Sunday School teachers. We sing songs like, “I’ve Got a Mansion just over the Hilltop…” or Somewhere in Outer Space God has Prepared a Place for those who trust him and obey…” We remember the songs and stories all our lives, but when difficult times come to us, and they come to us all, we begin to doubt, to question, to rebel. Some of us remain at that stage for the rest of our lives. We leave the church, never to return. But many of us learn to hear the stories of scripture and the songs of our childhood in a new way. We learn words like metaphor and simile. We learn abstract thought and begin to see that the way of God is like a drop of water in the ocean, or a mustard seed that grows into a tree large enough for all the different birds to build nests in it.

In the Gospel according to John chapter 14 Jesus speaks about going to prepare a place for us. He speaks about returning for us. He even says we know where he is going and the way to get there. This is before GPS and Siri were here to help us navigate.

Good old Thomas, using his logical mind, says on behalf of all of us, “We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

This gives Jesus, according to John, the opportunity to say one of the greatest lines in his preaching career: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to God, but by me.” Of course this can be interpreted narrowly of broadly. In my childhood I was taught the narrow interpretation [The ONLY way, meaning only Christians will inhabit the heavenly mansions], but in seminary I learned to see this verse more broadly. All people of faith find and follow the Way of all ways to the mansion of the loving and compassionate heart. All people can learn to give love to others. Loving is a very natural thing, but loving can get interrupted by painful events in our lives. The good news is that we can always find the way back to loving ourselves, loving others, and doing some good in the world. Even on our deathbeds we can pray for others. We can forget ourselves, our fears, and our pain, as we love others through prayer. This kind of prayer is very powerful, indeed it is mystical in dimension.

Jesus then said, “If you have known me, you have known my Father.” This is the God within us. We can close our eyes to this reality. We can say there is no eternal love within our hearts, but we are deceiving ourselves if we say this. Love is real. It is eternal. We feel it now, do we not?

Philip said, “Show us the Father.” [We now use expansive metaphorical language for God that includes Mother imagery as well as Father, but in this passage in John we have a lot of Father language.] Imagine God for yourself using metaphors that work for you. This is part of understanding the “many mansions” image of John’s Jesus.

Jesus said to Philip, “Have you been with me for so long and you still don’t know? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. I am in the Father and the Father is in me. The God who dwells in me speaks to you and does the works that you see. Believe in me, or at least believe in the works that you see.” Do you see any loving works around you today? Do you see lives being changed for the better? Do you feel any change in your heart as you listen to these words? Do you feel that God, Goddess, Goodness, or Love now dwell within you? Are you nurturing the very best that is within you?

Jesus said, “ You will do greater works than I have done. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it, because I go to the Father.” Wow! Greater than Jesus! Let us believe this, or at least act as if we believe it. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was told to preach faith until he had it. Then, because he had it, he would preach faith. Try it on yourself first. Then share your experience, strength, and hope with others.

Application

In my Father’s house are many mansions. If these are the mansions of the heart, what does your inner mansion look like today? Is it lovely and peaceful, surrounded by gardens, or is it more of a fixer-upper? Who is in charge of your mansion? Have you rented the space to a tenant who doesn’t care what happens in there? Maybe it is time for you to take stock and to make your inner mansion beautiful again.

This week Bill Thompson and I delivered food and diapers to a Mexican woman who lives in the Iron Triangle neighborhood of Richmond. She is caring for her young son who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheel chair. Her son attends Washington School. Someone at the school suggested she ask the Methodists for help. She called the church and the church responded. Thanks to your generosity there is still a Methodist church here in the Point. This little church is helping to bring clean water to people in Nepal through our missionary, Katherine Parker. [Google Katherine Parker Methodist and you will find her] We are caring for people in Iraq and the Philippines to name two more parts of our global parish.

The woman we met in the Iron Triangle this week also cares for her aging father at home. When she called me, she said we live in a house. When Bill and I arrived, she invited us in. She is worried that her water may be shut off. We did a little bit to help. Bill and I let her know we care. We may do more later on. We are working to change the unjust systems of society until all have what they need. Our basic human needs have to be met. This is real, but, wealthy or poor, we can have a beautiful inner life every day, if we cultivate it through prayer, meditation, study, and corporate worship. In my Father’s house are many mansions, Jesus said. What is the condition of your heart’s mansion today? Are you learning to trust what is within you?

Let us be in prayer.

Richmond First United Methodist News and EventsRichmond First United Methodist News and EventsRichmond First United Methodist NewFirst United Methodist News and

Joys and Concerns

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer and will be starting chemotherapy next week. She also requests prayers for a friend, Sara Talkington who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. She’s married with a 4 year old son.

We offer prayers for Deby as she cares for her father in this difficult time.

Our friend, Arinel Greene, from Easter Hill UMC, is being treated with chemo/radiation for uterine cancer. She is a woman of great faith and welcomes being on our prayer list for healing. If you would like to send her a card: 5326 Conestoga Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803.Please remember her in your prayers.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.

Robbie Robinson would appreciate your prayers.

News

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) continues to work in the Philippines six months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the city of Tanuan. They are building 200 permanent homes for the families of the region.

Mid Dornan and Barbara Haley attended the 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Richmond Childhood Mental Health Program on Friday,

May 16. We had a private tour of the facility and listened to speeches about the program’s history and dreams for the future. This is a remarkable program. Remember we donate disposable diapers for families who can’t afford them. You can bring diapers anytime and leave them in Friendship Hall.

Camp Liberty Update: Iran’s judiciary chief is urging his Iraqi counterpart to extradite the residents of Camp Liberty (3000 people) to Iran for a “fair trial”. Iran is saying they will pardon 423 people after investigation showed they are not guilty of any crimes. In April of this year Iran and Irag signed an understanding which includes the extradition of criminals. This is a serious and life threatening request. Please contact your representatives for intervention: President Obama, 202 456 1414, Vice President Biden, 202 456 1414, Senator Barbara Boxer, 202 224 3553, Senator Diane Feinstein, 202 224 3841, Representative George Miller, 202 225 2095.

The Administrative Board has approved the project to repair the church windows beginning after Junktique II.

Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an update on her activities. On a personal level, she is moving into an apartment of her own. Katherine is working as a health advisor in rural Nepal where she works with communities through improving water sanitation, hygiene, food security and nutrition. She has a blog (bokashi.blogspot.com) where you can find information on her recent adolescent sex education class. Donating to support Katherine’s work makes you a partner in improving the quality of life for the less advantaged. Copies of her letter are in Friendship Hall.

A Study and Survey of the Worldwide Nature of the United Methodist Church will be presented by Pastor Dan Damon and Jean Reynolds for four Sundays, May 18 through June 8 during Adult Sunday School 10 am in Friendship Hall. Anyone interested in joining the church is encouraged to come and all are welcome. Recommendations from the class will be presented at General Conference 2016. Weekly topics in order: 1. General Conference, Jurisdictions, and Central Conferences.2. The Book of Discipline.3.Boards, Agencies and Finances. 4. Education of Clergy and Laity. This is an opportunity to have input into proposals and changes

Junktique was a full and prosperous day! We can’t thank Betty Graham, Fran Smith and the heavy lifting crew led by Jonathan Swett enough for the hours of work and of organizing the help to make this a successful day! Norm Reynolds reports that we made over $8,000 which helps to cover the costs in our General Budget.

Generosity

The Administrative Board met Thursday evening, May 8 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $31,180. Our budget need is $35,252 which is a $4000 deficit. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II will add some funds to help with the deficit.

Events

Junktique II will be coming up Monday, May 26 in conjunction with the Masquers Playhouse annual Point Richmond garage sale and fund raiser. Let Fran Smith or Betty Graham know if you would like to help. Fran: junosmith@aol.com: Betty: BettyGraeham @gmail.com. We will have a pancake breakfast starting at 8 am. The sale will be from 9 am to 3 pm, Bring the kids to see our “Ladybug: gardener!

Friday, May 30-PRJazz Presents Kit Eakle with Django Sphere 7:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Point Richmond. This is the last concert of the season. For tickets, a list of next season’s presenters and special ticket pricing go to prjazz.org. This concert is an exploration of the music of Django Reinhardt and Thelonius Sphere Monk. Kit Eakle, violin, Jonathan Alford, piano and Alex Baum, bass. Tickets through prjazz.org $15, at door, $20.

Father’s Day Jazz Service, Sunday, June 15, 11am. The Dan Damon Quartet will present the service with music. Kurt Ribak, bass: Lincoln Adler, sax; Randy O’dell, drums;Dan Damon, piano. Come early to be sure to get a seat.

Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.

Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org.

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

Our topic today from John chapter 10 is the life abundant. Not perfect, but abundant. As Methodist, we learn from our founder, John Wesley, that we are moving on to perfection. We do not get there in this life, but it is a worthy goal. We did not get perfect parents. We were not perfect children. But we did get many blessings in our childhood, the first being the gift and blessing of life.

What have you done with the gift and the promise of your life? Have you returned thanks for the blessings you have received? Have you lived for yourself, or for others? Of course, both are needed. We must care for ourselves or there will be no possibility of caring for others. Some express this caring action through the church. Some find ways to live abundantly and compassionately outside the church. In our story today, we hear Jesus promise of abundant life in the context of a robbery. Are there things that rob you of the abundance that you desire? Listen again to the story. Retell the Scripture Story

After the long story of the healing of the man born blind in John 9, we move into an unusual story of stealing sheep. Jesus says, “If you enter not by the door, but by some other way, you are a thief and a robber. But if you enter by the door, you are the shepherd.

The sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out to pasture. He goes before them and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. The sheep will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know his voice.

The disciples did not understand this parable. So Jesus went on teaching: I am the door. By me, if you go in and out you will find pasture. The thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy, but I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly. Jesus said, “ I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly.” Jn. 10:10

Application

Our faith gives us hope for the abundant life, both here and now, and in all the days ahead. Abundant life will be different for each of us. What does it mean to you? For me, it means living the Christian life as well as I am able, and inspiring others to do the same in their own way. Let us give thanks for our many, many blessings. Among them, the blessing of “good enough” parents and children. Not perfect, but “good enough.” Not perfect lives, but abundant lives are promised to us, but it is up to us to find the way to live our lives to the fullest. Enjoy life. Again in the words of John Wesley, “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, for as long as ever you can, and stay in love with God.”

I will close today with a text Brian Wren wrote for his mother when she moved into a nursing home. What did abundant life mean to her at that time?

1. Three things I promise, Holy God, in age and youth, in life and death: to bless your Name, and cling to Christ, and listen for the Spirit’s breath.

2. Your love unfolded time and space, and life, and all that life became, and so, with thankful heart and voice, through good and ill, I bless your Name.

3. I follow, serve, and cling to Christ amid our culture’s tides and trends, for here your Name is most revealed: Majestic Love, and Best of Friends.

4. Enlivened as the Spirit moves to cleanse, awaken, and renew, I pray that justice, peace, and truth, may seed and grow in all I do.

5. If I should live when vigor fades, and family and friends are gone, three acts of loving faith remain when days are slow, and work is done.

6. Revive and guide me, Living God, as day by day, until my death, I bless your Name, and cling to Christ, and listen for the Spirit’s breath.

Our friend, Arinel Greene, from Easter Hill UMC, is being treated with chemo/radiation for uterine cancer. She is a woman of great faith and welcomes being on our prayer list for healing. If you would like to send her a card: 5326 Conestoga Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803.Please remember her in your prayers.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing.

Robbie Robinson would appreciate your prayers.

Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) is moving to South Dakota, We wish her well.

News

UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) continues to work in the Philippines six months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the city of Tanuan. They are building 200 permanent homes for the families of the region.

Mid Dornan and Barbara Haley attended the 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Richmond Childhood Mental Health Program on Friday,

May 16. We had a private tour of the facility and listened to speeches about the program’s history and dreams for the future. This is a remarkable program. Remember we donate disposable diapers for families who can’t afford them. You can bring diapers anytime and leave them in Friendship Hall.

Camp Liberty Update: Maryam Rajavi (President-elect of the Iranian Resistance) spoke before the Canadian Parliament regarding raising the issue before the United Nations General Assembly about the humanitarian crisis in Camp Liberty. Within the last few weeks a man died from a heart attack after medical treatment was refused.

The Administrative Board has approved the project to repair the church windows beginning after Junktique II.

Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an update on her activities. On a personal level, she is moving into an apartment of her own. Katherine is working as a health advisor in rural Nepal where she works with communities through improving water sanitation, hygiene, food security and nutrition. She has a blog (bokashi.blogspot.com) where you can find information on her recent adolescent sex education class. Donating to support Katherine’s work makes you a partner in improving the quality of life for the less advantaged. Copies of her letter are in Friendship Hall.

A Study and Survey of the Worldwide Nature of the United Methodist Church will be presented by Pastor Dan Damon and Jean Reynolds for four Sundays, May 18 through June 8 during Adult Sunday School 10 am in Friendship Hall. Anyone interested in joining the church is encouraged to come and all are welcome. Recommendations from the class will be presented at General Conference 2016. Weekly topics in order: 1. General Conference, Jurisdictions, and Central Conferences.2. The Book of Discipline.3.Boards, Agencies and Finances. 4. Education of Clergy and Laity. This is an opportunity to have input into proposals and changes

Junktique was a full and prosperous day! We can’t thank Betty Graham, Fran Smith and the heavy lifting crew led by Jonathan Swett enough for the hours of work and of organizing the help to make this a successful day! Norm Reynolds reports that we made over $8,000 which helps to cover the costs in our General Budget.

Season of Love, A time for change: The Reconciling Caucus of the CA-NV UMC is coordinating a Circle of Love, Saturday, May 17 starting at 2 pm to support the marriage of two women at the Wesley UMC, 566 N. Fifth Street, San Jose. The marriage ceremony is at 3 pm and a possible press conference at 4:30 pm. You would not be attending the wedding, but supporting the church, minister and the union of these loving women by your presence. For more information: seasonoflove.info.

Generosity

The Angel Choir sang for us on Mother’s Day enchanting the congregation. Many thanks to Tammara Plankers for her dedication and joy in working with the children.

Pat Dornan bought the roses and decorated them with baby’s breath and lovely bows to honor our mothers. The Angel Choir gleefully passed them out to our great grandmothers, grandmothers, and mothers. Thank you so much Pat for making this possible.

The Administrative Board met Thursday evening, May 8 We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $31,180. Our budget need is $35,252 which is a $4000 deficit. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration. Junktique earnings met our budgeted expectation and Junktique II will add some funds to help with the deficit.

Bring a salad or dessert for a potluck salad bar luncheon. We bring pennies and prayers through the Fellowship of the Least Coin on this May Friendship Day. Call Jean Reynolds if you would like to be a reader for the program. 510 734 3942.

Junktique II will be coming up Monday, May 26 in conjunction with the Masquers Playhouse annual Point Richmond garage sale and fund raiser. Let Fran Smith or Betty Graham know if you would like to help. Fran: junosmith@aol.com: Betty: BettyGraeham @gmail.com. We will have a pancake breakfast starting at 8 am. The sale will be from 9 am to 3 pm, Bring the kids to see our “Ladybug: gardener!

Friday, May 30-PRJazz Presents Kit Eakle with Django Sphere 7:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Point Richmond. This is the last concert of the season. For tickets, a list of next season’s presenters and special ticket pricing go to prjazz.org. This concert is an exploration of the music of Django Reinhardt and Thelonius Sphere Monk. Kit Eakle, violin, Jonathan Alford, piano and Alex Baum, bass. Tickets through prjazz.org $15, at door, $20.

Father’s Day Jazz Service, Sunday, June 15, 11am. The Dan Damon Quartet will present the service with music. Come early to be sure to get a seat.

Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.

Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org.